Oyster Bay to Clayton is 352.7 miles and takes about 7h 33m via NY 17 and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, starting on Long Island and heading north through the Northeast region. The route is primarily surface roads for a good portion of the drive, offering a more grounded experience than a pure highway run. With only two planned stops and a reasonable duration, this trip is manageable for a single day, but you'll want to be mindful of the transition from highway to local roads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
176.3 miles from Oyster Bay, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
117.5 mi
2h 15m
New York State Thruway
63 mi
1h 12m
State Highway 12
30.7 mi
40m
Bea Luck Road
19.8 mi
23m
NJ 17
14.7 mi
18m
Bradley Street
13.5 mi
20m
Northern Boulevard
13.4 mi
22m
State Highway 28
11.7 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 117.5 mi, about 2h 15m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,060 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,244 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 72 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oyster Bay, NY and Clayton, NY.
1
Start on Berry Hill Road
288 ft·21 sec·Berry Hill Road
2
Turn sharp left onto NY 106
429 ft·9 sec·South Street
3
Continue on NY 106
0.9 mi·1 min·Pine Hollow Road
4
Continue on NY 106
0.7 mi·1 min·Oyster Bay Road
5
Turn right onto NY 25A
13 mi·22 min·Northern Boulevard
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto CI
2.3 mi·3 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 33Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New EnglandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
10
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi·8 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
13
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
14
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 72AToward NJ 4 West: ParamusUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto NJ 4
6.7 mi·9 min·NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, MahwahUse the straight lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: MahwahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
25
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
26
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
27
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
118 mi·2 hr 15 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
63 mi·1 hr 12 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 29AToward NY 169: Little Falls, DolgevilleUse the slight right lane.
30
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·54 sec·this road
31
Continue on NY 169
1.9 mi·2 min·NY 169
32
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5; NY 167; NY 169
0.7 mi·1 min·NY 5; NY 167; NY 169
33
Turn right onto NY 167
0.3 mi·36 sec·South Ann Street
34
At end of road, turn left onto NY 169
9.7 mi·15 min·West Monroe Street
35
Continue on NY 28
3.2 mi·4 min·State Highway 28
36
Continue on NY 28
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
37
Continue on NY 28
2.5 mi·3 min·State Highway 28
38
Continue on NY 28
1.4 mi·2 min·South Main Street
39
Continue on NY 8; NY 28
0.7 mi·1 min·State Highway 8
40
Turn right onto NY 28
6.0 mi·8 min·State Highway 28
41
Turn right onto NY 12
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 12
42
Continue on NY 12; NY 28
9.7 mi·11 min·Erwin Parkway
43
Continue on NY 12
0.8 mi·51 sec·State Highway 12
44
Continue on NY 12
20 mi·23 min·Bea Luck Road
45
Continue on NY 12
0.5 mi·1 min·Utica Boulevard
46
Continue on NY 12; NY 26
0.6 mi·1 min·South State Street
47
Turn left onto NY 12
0.5 mi·1 min·Dayan Street
48
Continue on NY 12
11 mi·13 min·State Highway 12
49
Continue on NY 12
0.3 mi·22 sec·County Road 14
50
Continue on NY 12
0.6 mi·38 sec·High Street
51
Continue on NY 12
0.6 mi·41 sec·Main Street
52
Continue on NY 12
1.4 mi·1 min·State Highway 12
53
Continue on NY 12
8.4 mi·9 min·Van Allen Road
54
Continue on NY 12
2.4 mi·2 min·Gifford Street
55
At end of road, turn left onto NY 12
1.8 mi·4 min·State Street
56
Turn right onto US 11; NY 12
0.4 mi·39 sec·Mill Street
57
Turn left onto NY 12
0.6 mi·1 min·West Main Street
58
Turn right onto NY 12
13 mi·20 min·Bradley Street
59
Continue on NY 12
6.4 mi·9 min·State Highway 12
60
Continue on NY 12
0.9 mi·1 min·James Street
61
Turn right onto NY 12
410 ft·13 sec·State Street
62
Turn left onto John Street
0.2 mi·52 sec·John Street
63
At end of road, turn right onto Park Circle
0.2 mi·38 sec·Park Circle
64
Arrive at destination
Park Circle
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Oyster Bay to maximize daylight. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 352.7 miles into manageable segments. The longest stretch of 117.5 miles on NY 17 means you'll have a good portion of uninterrupted driving, but be prepared for the shift to surface roads that follows. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto State Highway 12, as fuel stops might be less frequent than on the Thruway. The estimated fuel cost is around $64.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 176.3 miles from Oyster Bay, NY, or about 3h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 78 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.3 miles or 3h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clayton, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oyster Bay, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Oyster Bay, NY
This is one driving day of about 352.7 miles and 7h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Oyster Bay, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on NY 17 for about 117.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.6 and 52.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
17.6 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx,...
8
29.8 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
9
30.1 mi into trip|~48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
8
37.1 mi into trip|~57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
8
52.2 mi into trip|~1h 17m in|NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17 toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.74 one way
$123.47 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$66.90
$133.80
premium
$5.23
$72.62
$145.25
diesel
$6.18
$85.80
$171.60
Estimated Tolls: $25.70
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(63 mi)$3.15
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$112–$137
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.8
1
$37.03
$16.93
Efficient EV
88.2
1
$30.86
$14.11
EV Truck/SUV
141.1
1
$49.38
$22.57
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Oyster Bay, NY
Evening
in Oyster Bay on Tuesday
Local time
7:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Clear
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Clayton, NY
Evening
in Clayton on Tuesday
Local time
7:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Clear
S 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 33m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 24.3
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 24.3
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 24.3
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 24.3
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 24.3
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 24.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with highways making up 58% of the total mileage. You'll encounter the longest stretch without a significant change in road type at 117.5 miles on NY 17. Expect to transition from higher-speed highway cruising to more local road driving, which often means more intersections and varied speed limits. The profile suggests a significant portion of your time will be spent on these surface roads, so plan for that change in pace.
Only 58% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
64 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.5 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 32 significant decision points across 352.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 17.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,194 ft46 ft
Total Climb
1,485 ft
Total Descent
1,259 ft
Highest Point
1,194 ft
~277.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,148 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Oyster Bay, NY and Clayton, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark and Mahwah - among others.
Oyster Bay is one of three towns in Nassau County, on Long Island, New York.
The town of Oyster Bay comprises a large portion of eastern Nassau County and includes a slew of villages and other communities. This article covers North Oyster Bay – the area closest to Oyster Bay itself (in other words, everything that is north of the Long Island Expressway). See South Oyster Bay for the southern half of the town (in other words, the area south of the expressway). See the article for Glen Cove for communities in the northwest part of the town that are closest to that city.
Clayton (population 1,700 in 2020) and Alexandria Bay (pop. 900 in 2020) are small villages in northern New York which, along with Cape Vincent (pop. 2,800 in 2016) serve as US points of access to the Thousand Islands.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 33m. Total distance: 352.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 117.5 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $25.70 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 27 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Clayton, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Clayton, NY before the return drive.
